College portal tracker: Where former Modesto-area football players will play next
Luke Weaver went from Central Valley household name to Island hero in 10 seconds on Christmas Eve. The quarterback came on in a pinch to drop a fade ball in the breadbasket for the game-winning touchdown in the Hawaii Bowl.
The East Union and Modesto Junior College product in his first season at the University of Hawaii led the Rainbow Warriors to a 35-31 victory over Cal Berkeley (which features another Manteca/MJC product in Jacob DeJesus, who broke the school’s receptions record in the game).
Weaver completed two of his three passes as the backup quarterback in the game, and one completion decided the game. He came off the bench cold after Hawaii starting quarterback Micah Alejado left the game with an injury. There were 10 seconds left in the game and Hawaii was down to one of its final plays on 1st and 10. Weaver connected on the 22-yard touchdown pass to Nick Cenacle and instantly became a hero.
He also instantly created some buzz in the college football world. After pioneering East Union’s high-powered offense and leading Rusty Stivers’ NASCAR offense for three seasons, Weaver showed the Division I football world he was worthy of a QB1 job.
That touchdown throw wasn’t the only sign. Weaver started two games for Hawaii early in the season and went 2-0, taking the team from 1-1 to 3-1 before Alejado returned from injury.
Weaver returned to the backup role and played his role. Saying all the right things in interviews, not displaying frustrations on social media and taking advantage of any game reps he was awarded.
But when the transfer portal opened, it was no surprise that he entered. In his few opportunities at Hawaii, Weaver tallied 628 passing yards with six touchdowns and three interceptions and completed 63 of 105 passes. In his two wins as a starter, Weaver threw five touchdowns to just one interception, passed for 534 yards on 53 of 85 passing, a 62% completion percentage.
The college football portal, which was open Jan. 2-16, can be a wild west of sorts in the college world. It’s as polarizing as it is helpful. Thousands of football players enter. Some find a new Division I school to attend, some don’t.
Weaver was one of the lucky ones, signing to play at San Jose State, closer to home and a place where he can compete for the starting job.
Weaver is one of 15 players the Spartans have gained from the transfer portal and as of Jan. 23 is the only transfer portal quarterback.
Jeremiah Bernard
High School: Modesto Christian
Previous School: Cal Poly SLO
New School: Washington State
Career highlights: Bernard was a basketball and two-way football star at Modesto Christian, becoming the first basketball player in school history to win three Division I Sac-Joaquin Section titles and finishing football among one of the state’s leaders in receiving yards. He signed with Cal Poly SLO at halftime of an MC basketball game and made an impact for the Mustangs immediately. He played in eight games as a freshman, recorded 18 tackles and forced the game-winning fumble against Sacramento State. In his breakout sophomore season, he played in all 12 games and tallied 57 tackles, three tackles for loss, one forced fumble, four interceptions and 10 pass deflections. When Cal Poly’s coach left, he hit the portal and signed with Washington State in early January.
Jalonn Booth
High School: Merced
Previous School: Modesto JC
New School: Cal Poly SLO
Career highlights: After a standout career at Merced High, Booth made waves in his sophomore season at MJC. Booth was named Valley Conference Defensive MVP, First Team All-Conference honors, Week 9, NCFC National Division Defensive Player of the Week and JC Athletic Bureau - CCCAA All-American honors. He finished the season with 52 total tackles, an impressive 23 sacks, 32.5 tackles for loss, four forced fumbles and four fumble recoveries. Booth committed to Cal Poly in late December 2025.
Ethan Day
High School: Ripon
Previous Schools: Modesto JC, Wyoming, North Texas
New School: Utah
Career highlights: After standout careers at Ripon High and Modesto JC, Day spent two seasons at Wyoming. In his second season with the Cowboys, he finished with 19 tackles, one tackle for loss, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery in 12 games. He transferred to North Texas, where he had a breakout season with 53 tackles, 4.5 sacks and a receiving touchdown. He started all 13 games and helped the Mean Green enter the AP Top 25 Poll at No. 22 on Nov. 16. Day committed on Jan. 7 to play for the Utes.
Everett Hunter
High School: Modesto Christian
Previous Schools: Modesto JC, University of New Mexico, Nicholls State
New School: University of South Alabama
Career highlights: Hunter made the switch to football late but had good years at Modesto Christian and showed flashes at tight end for MJC. After catching seven passes for 116 yards and a pair of touchdowns in four games for the Pirates, he transferred to New Mexico, where he played in 11 games at tight end and on special teams. Last season as a junior at Nicholls State, Hunter played in 12 games, caught 24 passes for 283 yards and three touchdowns. He committed to South Alabama out of the transfer portal on Jan. 12.
Tyler Jacklich
High School: Central Catholic
Previous Schools: Wyoming, Merced College, Modesto JC, West Virginia University
New School: San Jose State
Career highlights: Jacklich redshirted at Wyoming after a successful career at Central Catholic and played his redshirt freshman year at Merced College, where was running back and linebacker. He rushed for 842 yards on 163 carries and nine touchdowns and had 103 receiving yards on 12 catches. He practiced with MJC in the offseason then when a spot opened up in West Virginia’s running back room, he packed his bags for Morgantown. As a redshirt sophomore, he played in six games and averaged six yards per carry. His longest career rush came against Kansas (14 yards). He will play this season closer to home at San Jose State.
Phoenix Jackson
High School: Central Catholic
Previous Schools: Fresno State, Baylor
New School: Arkansas
Career highlights: Jackson starred at Central Catholic where he was an all league performer for the Raiders. Right out of high school, he went to Fresno State, where he redshirted one year and played three seasons at linebacker. As a Bulldog, Jackson played in 34 games, tallied 98 total tackles, nine tackles for loss, five sacks, three interceptions, one pick six, eight pass deflections and a forced fumble. He started the 2025 season at Baylor where he recorded 11 total tackles in three games before a season-ending injury. He took a medical redshirt and transferred to Arkansas out of the portal.
Adam Johnston
High School: Ripon
Previous Schools: Modesto JC, Sacramento State
New School: University of Arkansas
Career highlights: Johnston played both sides of the ball for Ripon and made the switch to long snapper in his one season at MJC. After his first year, he committed to Sacramento State. He played in three games in 2024 as the long snapper on punts. As a redshirt sophomore in 2025, he earned All-Big Sky honorable mention honors as a long snapper after handling all snaps for extra points, field goals and punts. He did not have a bad snap and did not allow a blocked kick all season. After hitting the transfer portal, Johnston committed to play in the SEC at Arkansas.
Jaelen Nichols
High School: Central Catholic
Previous Schools: Modesto JC, Campbell University
New School: San Jose State
Career highlights: Nichols starred on both sides of the ball at Central Catholic before sticking with defense at MJC, turning into an All-Valley Conference safety. After two seasons at MJC, Nichols transferred to Campbell University, where he spent the 2025 season. On Jan. 22, Nichols announced an offer came in from San Jose State.
Frank Villegas
High School: Le Grand
Previous School: Modesto JC
New School: Northeastern State
Career highlights: Villegas was a key member of two MJC NorCal appearances and as a sophomore earned First Team All-Conference honors. In 12 games at MJC in 2025, he tallied 36 tackles, a sack, four tackles for loss, a forced fumble and a pass breakup.On Jan. 7, he signed with Northeastern State University in Oklahoma.
Elmo Wartson
High School: Modesto Christian
Previous School: Modesto JC
New School: Washington State
Career highlights: After a successful season as a football and basketball player at Modesto Christian, Wartson became one of the top JUCO defensive back recruits in the state during his two-year career at MJC. He did not give up a touchdown in man coverage this season and recorded 36 total tackles, four tackles for loss and six pass breakups. Wartson was part of a dominant MJC defense that allowed fewer than 20 points six times this season, helping the Pirates capture a fifth straight conference title. He picked Washington State over offers from Boise State, UConn, Baylor, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo and others.
Glen Weber
High School: Oakdale
Previous School: Modesto JC
New School: Northern Illinois
Career highlights: Weber played in a run-heavy offense at Oakdale High and honed his pass-catching abilities at MJC for two seasons. In his sophomore season, he earned unanimous First Team All-Valley Conference and All-State honors after helping the Pirates earn a fifth straight conference title. He played in nine games and caught 12 passes for 146 yards and a touchdown. He also blocked for two All-Conference running backs. Weber signed with Northern Illinois in early December.
This story was originally published January 23, 2026 at 3:31 PM.
